Word Origin & History

c.1300, from Old French obligacion "obligation, duty, responsibility" (early 13c.) and directly from Latin obligationem (nominative obligatio) "an engaging or pledging," literally "a binding" (but rarely used in this sense), noun of action from past participle stem of obligare (see oblige). The notion is of binding with promises or by law or duty.

Example Sentences for obligation

But I don't wish to be under any obligation to him, that's certain.

Yet I don't like to owe him an obligation, if I could help it.

He cannot permit the burden of obligation to remain upon him.

At the lowest mark, the balance will be even, and there'll be no obligation at all.

This obligation to learn ceases when certain examinations are passed.

I am now in a state of obligation: so must rest satisfied with whatever I cannot help.

But I have let him pay for me again and again, and I don't know how to rid the obligation.

Let then your future life show that you are not insensible of the magnitude of the obligation.